I noticed that a lot of curvy women were sewing up versions of the Saldana pattern, from the inaugural issue of SewSewDef Magazine. I thought it would be interesting to compare and contrast these curvy ladies’ experiences with the Saldana pattern in a Same Pattern, Different Bodies post!
The Saldana pattern, available with the April 2017 issue of SewSewDef Magazine, or separately purchased here, is a PDF pattern (with print-at-home and copyshop versions) in sizes XXS-2XL (up to a 47″ bust, 39″ waist, 49″ hip). The pattern is for a knit t-shirt or dress with interesting seam lines, a v-neck, side panels, gathers at the back neckline, roll-up short sleeves, optional topstitching on all the seams and a slightly curved swingy hem.
Here is Sew Sew Def’s description:
The Saldana pattern is the perfect High-Low T-Shirt or Maxi Dress. It is designed to be easy to sew, easy to wear and very chic. There are so many possibilities with The Saldana by simply mixing prints and colors. Along with the two variations that come with your pattern we also provide a quick and easy modification to get a third look from one pattern!”
And here’s how each of these curvy women made the pattern work!:
Brittany
- Measurements: Bust – 38″, Cup Size – C, Waist – 36″, Hips – 48″, Height – 5’4″
- Pattern size: Brittany cut the size Large, knee length dress version
- Alterations: Brittany did not make any adjustments. She thought she would have to do her usual bust, waist, and hip grading between pattern lines, but not for this pattern.
- Fabric: She used a Liverpool Knit fabric from LaFinch Fabrics, which is a great weight, cool and light enough for warm weather.
- Fit: Brittany loves the fit of the dress! She says “[The Saldana is a] great dress to put on, belt it, with some wedges, or throw on a denim jacket and sneakers!”
- Changes for future Saldanas: If she makes it again (and she plans to), she will have fun and do some color blocking with the side panels, or maybe add some piping along the front seams.
- Read more about Brittany’s Saldana dress on her blog!
Carolyn
- Measurements: Bust – 45″, Cup Size – D, Waist – 44.5″, Hip – 53.5″, Height – 5’6″
- Pattern Size: Carolyn cut a size 2X in the maxi dress version.
- Alterations: Carolyn did a pivot and slide to add 4″ to the hip area. She enlarged the sleeves so that they fit her “bodacious biceps” and lengthened them to cover her arms. She also made a few style changes: she added a piece of border print across the v-neck to raise it a bit and sewed the maxi dress side slits up.
- Fabric: Carolyn used a lightweight scuba knit.
- Fit: Carolyn likes the fit of the dress. She says “It’s a comfortable wear and easy to commute in – two important things to me.”
- Read more about Carolyn’s Saldana dress on her blog!
- Carolyn also reviewed the Sew Sew Def magazine if you’re interested to hear more about it!
Quana
- Measurements: Bust – 46″, Cup Size – DDD, Waist- 38″, Hip -49″, Height – 5’9″
- Pattern Size: Quana cut a 2XL t-shirt since the pattern was described as “true to size,” so she didn’t use her upper bust measurement.
- Alterations: Quana made a forward shoulder adjustment although she feels that, ultimately, it wasn’t necessary because of the extra ease and gathering in the back.
- Fabric: She used a bright polyester foil jersey.
- Fit: Quana likes the fit of the t-shirt because it has a swing at the hem with some “shaping” in the front and back.
- Changes for future Saldanas: For future Saldanas, Quana will adjust the shoulder and back neckline, and possibly make one of the dresses. She says she may also reduce the ease at the waist/hem so it will be a little more fitted through the waist. She will try a fabric with more drape, too.
- Read more about Laquana’s Saldana t-shirt on her blog!
Meg
- Measurements: Bust – 42″, Cup Size – D, Waist – 36″, Hips – 45.5″, Height – 5’7.5″
- Pattern size: Although my measurements put me in an XL at the hip, I cut the size Large t-shirt.
- Alterations: I did a 1″ full bicep adjustment after comparing the sleeve to some other t-shirt patterns I have; it seemed a bit narrow for me. I also decided not to do the roll-up sleeve. I shortened the sleeves by 4″ and just hemmed them up 3/4″.
- Fabric: I used two different rayon/lycra knits.
- Fit: I really like this Saldana top! I’m a fan of t-shirts that fit closely at the bust, but then swing out at the hip so they don’t cling to my belly. The seamlines are nice, the v-neck is a great depth and shape, and it’s got a nice casual/cool/sporty vibe.
- Changes for future Saldanas: I don’t think I would make any fit changes, but I would definitely like to try the maxi dress version- it looks so comfy!
- Read more about my Saldana t-shirt on my blog!
This is a great pattern for my shape! I can add fullness to the bust without adding a dart or making it too big in the hips. Oh yeah, and it looks really great on all the women pictured here, even with different body types.
Love this post and the variety of styles and bodies!
Same pattern different bodies is one of my favourite CSC festures. This one is great! This pattern has a lot of versitility and it’s interesting to see how different people adapt the pattern.
I’m off to go check out Carolyn’s review for the magazine 🙂